RAMA, ON – Paraguayan veteran Dario Azuaga 76-15-2 (64 KO’s) will replace Sergio Javier Escobar in the corner opposite former IBF Junior Featherweight world champion Steve “The Canadian Kid” (29-1, 11 KO’s) in the Rumble at Rama IX co-feature, in Rama, Ontario, set for Friday, September 4, 2009.
The eight round Molitor-Azuaga showdown is the co-main event of the evening, and will immediately precede the WBO Junior Bantamweight world title battle between champion Jose Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KO’s) and undefeated 19 year-old upstart Marvin Sonsona (13-0, 12 KO’s).
Molitor rebounded from his devastating loss last November to unified 122 lb. world champion Celestino Caballero with a hard-fought split decision win over Heriberto Ruiz to capture the IBF’s number two ranking, guaranteeing himself a spot in an IBF world title eliminator.
“Escobar ran into some travel restrictions from the Argentine authorities,” said promoter Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management.
“We were very lucky to have a quality veteran like Azuaga available. He’s been around the block more than once, but his 64 KO’s are more than proof that he packs a punch.
Aside from Sonsona-Lopez, and Molitor-Azuaga, Canadian Heavyweight champion, Greg “The Steel Pole” Kielsa (10-0, 5 KO’S) will also step through the ropes on the Rumble at Rama IX undercard, when he takes on dangerous veteran Kevin Montiy (17-6-1, 13 KO’s), as will all-action warriors Justin Fountain, Felix Mercedes, and Pedro DeMello against separate opponents.
Held in Casino Rama’s state-of-the-art 5,200 seat Entertainment Centre, the Rumble at Rama series has firmly established the Casino as the premier venue in which to see the Big Time Excitement of a world-class fight in Ontario. Rumble at Rama IX takes place on Friday, September 4th, with the undercard bouts getting underway at 8:00 pm. Both the Molitor-Azuaga fight and the WBO title match between Lopez and Sonsona will be televised on TSN in Canada, and with national carrier coverage in both the Philippines and Puerto Rico.
Tickets for Rumble at Rama IX will be $125, $75, $50 and $25 and are available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, and at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.
